3 power sector projects get approval on ECNEC

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved three power sector big projects, including Power Grid Network Strengthening Project, with an estimated outlay of Tk 13,703.31 crore, aiming to ensure an uninterrupted power supply system across the country.The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting of the current fiscal year held at the NEC conference with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said a total of 10 projects were approved in today’s meeting with an estimated cost of Tk 22,876.31 crore.
“Of the total projects cost, Tk 8,668.18 crore will come from the national exchequer, Tk 585.02 crore from the organisation’s own fund while the rest of Tk 13,623.11 crore as project assistance,” he said.
Of the approved 10 projects, seven are new while three are revised ones
The Planning Minister said Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited (PGCB) will implement the Power Grid Network Strengthening Project under PGCB by June 2021.
Of the total project cost of Tk 13,703.31 crore for the project, the government will provide Tk 3,729.25 crore, while Tk 266.44 crore will come from the organisation’s own fund and China will provide Tk 9,707.62 crore on G-to-G basis as project assistance.
Since the government has a plan to raise the power generation capacity to 24,000 MW by 2021 and 40,000 MW by 2030, Mustafa Kamal said there is a need for enhancing the transmission and distribution lines considering the growing demand.
Under the project, there will be construction of some 100 kilometers of 400KV new transmission line, some 330.20 kilometers of 230KV new transmission line, some 334.50 kilometers of 132KV new transmission line, renovation of some 225 kilometers of the existing 132kV transmission line, construction of one 400/132/33KV new substation, construction of some 12 new 230/132KV power substation and construction of some 28 132/33KV new power substation, renovation of some existing five 132/33 KV substations, and installation of 7 new specialised engineering establishments.
The day’s Ecnec meeting also approved the capacity strengthening, rehabilitation and intensifying of power distribution system (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong and Sylhet Division) with an estimated cost of Tk 3,403.83 crore. Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) under the Power Division will implement the project by June 2019. The project will be implemented at 42 Palli Bidyut Samities.
Of the total project cost, the government will provide Tk 1,355.57 crore, Tk 4.27 crore will come from the organisation’s own fund while the rest of Tk 2043.99 crore as project assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Under the project, there will be construction of some 6465 kilometers of new 11kv low-voltage lines, capacity strengthening and rehabilitation of some 20,535 kilometers of distribution lines, giving some 5 lakh power connections.
The Planning Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the meeting observed that a conflicting situation is created when there is operation of the PDB and BREB in the same area.
She suggested rationalising the tariff of the PDB and BREB in those areas where the operation of both the organisations exist.
The Ecnec meeting also gave nod to the capacity strengthening, rehabilitation and intensifying of power distribution system (Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna and Barisal Divisions) with an estimated cost of Tk 3,077.54 crore where the ADB will provide Tk 1871.50 crore as project assistance.
The BREB will implement the project in 36 Palli Bidyut Samities by June 2019.
Under the project, there will be construction of some 5,500 kilometers of new 11KV low voltage lines, capacity strengthening and rehabilitation of some 18,000 kilometers of existing distribution lines, providing some 4,50,000 power connections.
The Planning Minister hoped that it would be possible to provide power to every household by the year 2019.
Referring to the approval of the gas transmission capacity expansion Ashuganj to Bakhrabad (2nd revised) project with Tk 513.46 crore, the Prime Minister asked the authorities concerned to come up with more gas pipeline project for gas distribution since the price of steel is low now.
In a bid to enhance the operational capacity and efficiency of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Ecnec also approved the strengthening of operational capacity and efficiency of Dhaka Metropolitan Police with Tk 200.30 crore.
Under the project, there will be procurement of some 100 motorcycles (250 cc), some 200 motorcycles (150 cc), 20 minibuses, 50 mini trucks, 50 trucks, 52-seat 50 buses, 20 prisoners vans, 10 jeeps, some 188 cabin pick up vans, 25 patrol cars, and establishment of one central motor workshop.
The other projects approved in the meeting are ‘Establishment of BSCIC Industrial Park, Sirajganj’, 2nd revised, with Tk 628.10 crore, Construction of flyover at Muradpur 2 gate and GEC portion, 2nd revised, with Tk 696.34 crore, Construction of some 398 residential flats at 20 abandoned houses in Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas with Tk 366.53 crore, Upgradation of Shaheed Moyezuddin Bridge to Pachdona portion road into national highway on Tongi-Kaliganj -Ghorashal-Pachdona regional highway with Tk 82.97 crore and Bakkhali river flood control, drainage, irrigation and dredging in Cox’s Bazar district, 1st phase, with Tk 203.93 crore.
Ministers, State Ministers and Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned were present.